Cruising Alaska is one of the best ways to see this enormous and bountiful state.  While many tropical cruise getaways are available year around, the Alaska Cruise is only accessible five months of the year (mid-May to mid-September).  The premium time of the year to visit Alaska is late June through July.  This is considered ‘peak’ season and the prices will reflect it.  If you’re more economically minded try booking at either end of the season.  However, what you gain in money you may lose in poor weather.

Choosing a ship is another important consideration.  You may prefer the ‘Vega-type’ shows of a large ship or the flexibility of smaller vessels.  Cruise ships are ranked by a star system.  The highest rating is 6 Stars and most mass market cruise lines are between 4 and 5 Stars.  The price generally increases with the number of stars but so does the quality of service, cuisine and creature comforts such as, bed size, room size and other luxurious bonuses.  You may also want to inquire about the typical passenger profile, and determine whether it is more appropriate or desirable for you to be traveling with other families, singles, seniors or college-coeds.

You really can’t go wrong with any Alaskan itinerary as all parts are equally enchanting.  However, the Inside Passage is one of the most popular routes and has the highest concentration of accessible towns.  Noteworthy stops will include: Glacier Bay, Juneau, Haines, Skagway, Sitka, Ketchikan and the Misty Fjords.  Itineraries typically depart from Seattle, San Francisco or Vancouver, Canada.

Once you decide on your cruise line and your itinerary you will be asked to select a cabin.  The least expensive rooms will be the inside cabins and the most expensive will have balconies and a significant increase in room size (often a suite).  Some cruisers prefer to save money on an inside room and enjoy the views from the public areas.  The other argument is that a balcony adds to the romance and the overall enjoyment of the experience.  You will also have to select the location of your cabin.  As a general rule mid-ship is best.  Avoid cabins next to the engine rooms due to the noise and the vibration.  Remember, the higher you go on the ship (levels) the more vulnerable you will become to rocking and thus, possible seasickness.

Excursions at the ports are usually chosen in advance (before you leave for your cruise).  Be sure to book immediately if there are particular activities you really want to do.  If you decide not to book an excursion at a particular port you can alternatively discover the unique port town, shop and enjoy local food. Excursions are wonderful, but can quickly increase the expense of your trip.

The public areas of any ship are beautiful, and usually filled with fountains, sculptures and artwork.  Ships typically have a variety of entertainment, medical facilities, a fitness area, beauty salon, library, lounge areas and dancing areas.  There is usually at least one formal night and you may want to enjoy the adventure of dressing-up and participating in the spirit of the festive fun.  The meals on-board are plentiful and delicious.  You may want to bring some ‘roomy’ clothes to accommodate for your caloric intake on the ship.  For more packing information see Adventure Woman’s Packing Tips.  Also see our Alaska Travel Photos.
As always, have a safe, fabulous journey and make your Alaskan cruise a real adventure!